Bridging the divide between communities
Let’s create safe spaces where communication, understanding and connection can begin.
Using Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as a framework, our project aims to foster empathy, navigate conflict, and build stronger, more resilient relationships. We believe this is a crucial step towards building interfaith and cross-community dialogue and bridging the ever-growing divide.
As conflict transformation trainers, coaches and mediators dedicated to reducing conflict and creating more harmonious, resilient relationships,
we have been deeply reflecting on the profound impact the events of 7th October 2023 have had on communities worldwide and on our Jewish and Muslim communities here in the UK. We are acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by those who are living in areas of the Middle East affected by the devastating war and those who have connections to those communities either through religious or national identity or through family and friends. We are also aware of the complex layers of pain and disconnection currently affecting Muslim, Jewish and other individuals and communities worldwide, on all sides, people are seeking safety, understanding, and the right to live peacefully.
The tragic reality is that our society's culture and language of separation, rooted in comparison, judgement, and blame, are only deepening these divides. If this continues, and with the prospect of ongoing and increasing war in the Middle East, we fear that conflict and ‘othering’ will only grow stronger within and across our communities. Reported incidents of anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hatred have soared and the complex and acute challenges facing members of both communities are leaving deep wounds that, if left unhealed, may lead to chronic and systemic ghettoisation and marginalisation.
We have witnessed first-hand how NVC can transform communities and alleviate conflict. Training individuals in empathy and active listening empowers them to engage in difficult conversations without resorting to disconnection and the harmful dynamics of "who is right and who is wrong." We have seen people find relief and hope as they learn to share their voices and stay connected even in the face of conflict.
The aim of NVC to foster empathy, navigate conflict, and build stronger, more resilient relationships. Our work is not about placing one community’s pain above another’s, but about recognising the importance of focused spaces that create a level of safety for healing and processing to begin. We believe this is a crucial step towards building interfaith and cross-community dialogue in the future.
PROJECT AIMS & OBJECTIVES
To equip individuals with necessary skills, confidence and resilience to express individual and collective pain, and engage in difficult conversations with others with opposing views.
To decrease the risk of polarisation between, and ghettoisation of, the Jewish and Muslim communities and bridge the growing divide between communities. To increase resilience and a sense of belonging and reduce fear of anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish hatred, confrontation or attack.
To embed within families and communities the transformative skills of the communication and conflict transformation model, ‘Nonviolent Communication’ (NVC) to foster empathy and authenticity, collaboration and mutual respect, to support and empower individuals and communities to have a voice, to be heard and understood, to enhance connection through compassionate and honest dialogue.
To build sustainability within local communities by providing a programme of NVC training and support to organisation and community leaders, upskill and empower them to meet the support needs of their own community members.
PROJECT VISION
To have a future where individuals and groups of individuals are able to maintain authentic and empathic connection between friends and peers, between family members, within organisations and places of work and study, between members of communities and between UK communities, a future where understanding, compassion and harmony prevail over conflict and division.
WE WORK WITH
Faith, community & youth leaders
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University mentors and chaplains
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School PHSE leads and mentors
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Interfaith and cross -community initiatives
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Peace and social cohesion builders
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
Focus groups
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Introductory and topic based workshops
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Entry and intermediate level NVC training
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Customised trainings and workshops tailored to specific needs and audiences
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Coaching: individual or group learning and support.
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Mediation / facilitated dialogues
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Facilitated Support Groups
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Online Conflict Transformation
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Learning Resources and Materials